On last seasons league positions it would seem to be a fight between Hornets, Oldham,Skolars,and Crusaders.Seperated by just 4 points.Points difference could be vital.We really do have to win at South Wales for once. To close to call before the season starts.

Our Defence has to be much better than last season - no use scoring a bag full, only to concede 20 or more - and much as I dislike them, we have to ensure bonus points.Hopefully, our new coaching team will bring Discipline to the fore too. Achieve the double D, along with some flair and we will make the top two.Do we know for certain what the league format will be for the season ahead, including the play-offs if there are only a few teams in the division?

The top team goes up automatically.And the playoffs are the same as usual i think.The league could be won or lost in the first 6 games depending on the fixture list.The only safe way is to win every game.Defence and discipline will be paramount.To lose in the Play-off final would be catastrophic.

What will be certain is a good start. With only 16 games in the league getting off to a bad start will leave the club with too much to drag back.

I fancy Hornets will again be quite good at home but we should certainly be aware that this dreadful Bonus Point is targetted if we do suffer a reversal. Away wins will then be the deciding factor, so yes our usual wobbles at London and South Wales will be very important, along with the Bonus Point, again.

If you take the scenario of 6 wins at home with 4 wins away and 3 Bonus Points that gives a total of 33 points. That's more than we had this season so should be able to get us into the top four minimum. However, given the link with Saints coupled with the coaching team of Talbot/Calland/Hough/Ramsdale along with the possibility of players from Saints being available I'm ho[eful we will make the top two.

It's vitally important that the players have aattitude of confidence and go into games knowing that they can certainly win if they play their 'A' game they can beat anybody in that league.

Pugwash.

Bobbie Goulding is God

DeepakChopra:

"Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask yourself if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future".

Think our main rivals will be north wales oldham and skolars we need to win all our home games and the away games we lose we need at least a bonus point .the teams relegated in my opinion will be york and hunslet

Success does not consists in never making blunders,but in never making the same one the second time.

hi guys, always enjoy coming to spotland, we gateshead have had awful few seasons though next season will be alot better in my opinion, weve signed 6 new players so far with more to come and we've strenghened positions that we needed to big time, signed halfbacks, prop forwards, fullback, will be another tough season for us though our signings so far are really good for us and i think we'll shock a few teams next season, you boys oldham and crusaders will be top 3 in my opinion.

hi guys, always enjoy coming to spotland, we gateshead have had awful few seasons though next season will be alot better in my opinion, weve signed 6 new players so far with more to come and we've strenghened positions that we needed to big time, signed halfbacks, prop forwards, fullback, will be another tough season for us though our signings so far are really good for us and i think we'll shock a few teams next season, you boys oldham and crusaders will be top 3 in my opinion.

Good luck for next season

Phil Bull.

Hopefully my post are viewed as positive, and I cannot be held responsible for causing any offence to anyone associated with this message board

hi guys, always enjoy coming to spotland, we gateshead have had awful few seasons though next season will be alot better in my opinion, weve signed 6 new players so far with more to come and we've strenghened positions that we needed to big time, signed halfbacks, prop forwards, fullback, will be another tough season for us though our signings so far are really good for us and i think we'll shock a few teams next season, you boys oldham and crusaders will be top 3 in my opinion.

I've gone on record to say that of all current Rugby League fans the ones that follow Thunder are the best. Anyone can supprt a Wigan, Leeds or Saints, or for that matter an Oldham, Rochdale or Swinton, but when you habitually follow your team knowing that the odds are on a battering you are great fans.

I've spoken with a regular, he's a big stocky guy and has his family with him and he goes in the bar afterwards not just scamper out and off home and the guy deserves a medal. The problem Thunder face is that they haven't won for so long that everyone tries that bit harder against you because they don't want to be the first to lose to you! In the past it has been Doncaster and London and way back when it was Hornets and Liverpool City, but those did win occasionally?!?!

This coming season will be the hardest yet as your games with us and Oldham are effectively your 'Derbies'. I hope you do get a few wins this season!!

Pugwash.

Bobbie Goulding is God

DeepakChopra:

"Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask yourself if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future".

thanks for comments guys, going to games noing we'll lose has been really tough and upsetting , i live in york the last few years though still travel to watch gateshead always have done and always will, not alot of us though we make alot of noise and love our club, and next season finally looks like being a good 1 for us, some really good players signed with more to come never been as excited for a season in a long time though will be tough for us i no that, see you guys next season always enjoy trip to spotland, yes the gent you mention is bigkev great guy he is, thanks agian for nice comment mate.

Fixtures not out yet and it does seem odd to havbe a 9 team league, even for the clowns at RFL, so based on that I smell a rat, further late expansion and I suspect the promoted teams will be Kabul Knightriders and Stockholm Stormers